Multiscale substructures in finite element analysis

Abstract

Methods and systems for conducting a time-marching simulation of a product using a finite element analysis model including at least one multiscale substructure are disclosed. According to one aspect, a FEA model of a product is defined for a time-marching simulation. The FEA model comprises an overall structure, and at least one multiscale substructure. Each substructure corresponds to some of the master representative segments defined in the overall structure. Time-marching simulation of the product is conducted with first and second sets of timescale due to significantly different characteristic dimension of the FEA model. The first set is configured for the overall structure or master group, while the second set for the substructures or slave group. The first set is run at a time step significantly larger than the second set. Synchronization of the responses is at the end of each solution cycle corresponds to the first set of timescale.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 300,439, filed Feb. 1, 2010, and entitled “Multiscale Substructures in Finite Element Analysis”, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to a method, system and software product used in computer-aided engineering analysis of a structure, more particularly to performing finite element analysis of an engineering structure including a multiscale susbstructures (e.g., spot welds). Multiscale is referred to as the substructure and overall engineering structure having a different scale finite element analysis model.[0003]The finite element method (FEM) (sometimes referred to as finite element analysis (FEA)) is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations (PDE) as well as of integral equations. The solution approach is based either on e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]The present invention generally relates to a method, system and software product used in computer-aided engineering analysis of a structure, more particularly to performing finite element analysis of an engineering structure including a multiscale susbstructures (e.g., spot welds). Multiscale is referred to as the substructure and overall engineering structure having a different scale finite element analysis model.

[0013]FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing an exemplary computer, in which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;

[0011]Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon examining the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Problems solved by technology

One of the most challenging FEA tasks is to simulate an impact event such as car crash or metal forming.

Due to limitations of explicit solution scheme of the finite element method, a much smaller time-step is required to maintain a stable numerical solution for analyzing finely meshed spot welds.

As a result, the time-marching simulation of the entire structure would take at least one order of magnitude longer time to run, which is not feasible in a production environment.

Images